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The wedding banquet of a King’s son

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Matthew 22: 12-14

Friends, he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless. “Then the king told the attendants, ‘tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

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There a king was so happy. Because his son is going to get married.

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The king invited many people to the wedding banquet.  Many people received an invitation from the king.

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He prepared a lot of things for the great party. He butchered oxen and prepared delicious food. Finally, The preparation for the banquet was done.

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The king told his servants, “Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared everything. Come to the wedding banquet.”

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The servants did what the king had said.

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But the people paid no attention. “Oh, I cannot come to the banquet, don’t bother me.” The servants were completely at a loss.

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When the king heard this, he commanded them again. “Go and tell the people again. Come quickly. My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready.”

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The servants went again and found the people. “The king is inviting you again because he prepared everything already.” “Ah, I don’t care. I have to work in the field. I don’t have time to go there.”

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Another servant delivered the king’s message. The man responded, “Ah, no thanks. I have many things to do for my business. I cannot attend.” He went off.

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Moreover, they were wicked. The people said, “Hey, they are the king’s servants. Kill them. I do not have any interest in the banquet but they continue to bother me.” So they killed the servants.

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When the king heard this, he was enraged. “Send my army and let them destroy those murderers and burn their city.”

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As the king commanded, the murderers were killed and the city was destroyed. They were very haughty before the king so they received these punishments.

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The king commanded again. “Those who were invited the first time, were not qualified because they ignored my invitation. Now, go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.”

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The servants did as the king told them. The people on the street were so happy and attended the banquet.

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The wedding hall was filled with guests. The king was very happy.

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But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a certain man. The king asked him. “How did you get in here without wedding clothes?” The man was speechless.

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The king told his servants to throw him out. “Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

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He told them continuously. “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

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This story is told by Jesus. Jesus said that there are many people who were invited but only few can attend the banquet in the heaven. Evangelism is like giving an invitation to the heavenly banquet. However, there are people who reject this invitation and moreover they kill the missionaries.

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Even though you respond to the invitation and come before God, you cannot enter the heaven if you do not have faith in Jesus.  Therefore, we should to thank God who gives us faith and we should share this Good News to our friends. Then they too can join us in the heavenly banquet.